RTE School Admission – Everything Parents Should Know

Education is the foundation of modern society, which is why every child should be educated. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education or Right to Education is an Act of the Parliament of India. This act makes education a fundamental right of children between the ages of 6 and 14. This piece of legislation in the Indian constitution empowers the children of India to be more employable, self-sufficient, and independent.

What is Right to Education?

The Right to Education is a constitutional bill that ensures that every child receives a formal education. This act not only provides children with the opportunity to be educated but also ensures that kids are provided quality education for free. As per this act, children between the ages of 6 and 14 years have the right to free education.

When and Why Did This Act Come into Existence?

The bill was approved on 26 August 2009. At this time, India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child. The act came into effect on April 1, 2010.

Key Features of the Right to Education Act

Understanding the features of the RTE is essential for any parent opting for this route towards formal education. This includes understanding the key features of the act and regulations of the act including RTE admission age limit and more.

• Elementary education is compulsory and free as per the act.
• Every school must have clean and separate toilets for boys and girls.
• Schools must provide drinking water for free.
• Teacher to Pupil ratios in the classroom is standardised.
• Children must be admitted to a class as per their age and must be provided assistance in catching up with the curriculum if they are left behind.
• The Act makes sure that the teachers appointed are appropriately trained. Norms and standards of qualification of teachers are laid down in the Act.
• Admissions for children is guaranteed as per the Act.
• There are stringent laws and monitors in place to ensure that children are not discriminated or harassed in schools.
• Children cannot be held back without parental consent and cannot be expelled.
• 25% of the students in every class in private schools must be part of the RTE mandate for disadvantaged members of society.

Eligibility to Avail Admission Under the RTE Act

Here is some information about the eligibility to get admission under the RTE Act.

• The minimum age for LKG admission for students will be determined by birth certificate.
• The RTE act mandates all the private schools to reserve 25% of the seats for children who come from economically weaker sections.
• A family whose earnings are Rs. 3.5 lakh or below can apply for seats under the RTE Act.
• Orphans, children with special needs, children of migrant workers and children of street workers are eligible for admission under the RTE Act.

Admission Process Under the RTE Act

Parents can avail for the RTE admission online. Here is how it can be done.

1. Check Schools in the Neighborhood

The first step to applying for schools under the RTE quota is to find eligible schools in your neighbourhood. You can find information about schools in your state online. If you are in Karnataka, you can check this link.

2. Fill the Form Online

Parents opting to enter their children in school using the quota should log onto the government portal and fill the document provided. Once you fill the form, print it.

3. Submit the form

You can then submit the form with the relevant documents to the relevant authorities in the school of your choice. A child is guaranteed entrance in government schools. Private schools should accept 25% of students under this law.

Here is some more information about the admissions under RTE:

• Navodaya and State Schools Have No Screenings

The state education bodies and the special schools known as Navodaya have no screenings for children. Private schools can screen children before admitting them but that screening must be under the norms set by the governing body to ensure there is no discrimination among children based on sex, religion, or caste.

• Admissions Process Includes Uniforms

After the relevant forms are filled and submitted, your child will receive a school uniform. The schools cannot charge for it.

• Books are a Part of the Procedure

Your child has the right to quality education. This means that during the admissions process the school administrators will guide you through relevant procedures which include the issuance of notebooks, textbooks, and stationery. All of this is free of cost in all schools and must not be charged.

• Certifications are Not Compulsory in Navodaya Schools

To be fair to children from different backgrounds, Navodaya schools and government schools accept children without certificates. Children who cannot submit relevant records or those who never had them are eligible for elementary education. The procedure for this is slightly different and includes the discretion of the registration authority. For more information, contact local government offices.

• Applications By Locality are Limited to 5

Children applying through the RTE Act can apply to a maximum of 5 schools in the neighbourhood. This can be in the order of the parent’s preference. In case the application is unsuccessful, the government can place your child in a designated school near your residence or appeal to private schools on your behalf.

Documents Required for RTE Admission

As mentioned above, there are documents that need to be submitted along with your RTE admission form. These can be availed at the government portal. Here are the documents that are necessary:

• Government IDs of parents – Driver’s license, voter IDs, Aadhar card, ration card, birth certificates, and passports.
• Child’s ID – Parents must furnish any and all government documents of the children including but not limited to a birth certificate, passport, and Aadhar card.
• Caste certificate – Caste certificate is also an important document for RTE admission.
• Income certificate from the Revenue Department of India.
• Relevant certificates to prove that a child has special needs. This will be provided to you by the Department of Health.
• In case of a street child or a child of a migrant worker, an affidavit must be produced that is issued from the Labor Department, Department of Education, and Department of Women & Child Development.
• Photographs of the child.
• If the child is an orphan, the death certificate of both parents must be produced.
• All applications must be entered before the deadline for admissions. The last date of RTE admission is normally between the second and last week of April of every year.

RTE Admission in Different States

FAQs

1. How Does the RTE Provide Relief for Navodaya Schools?

Navodaya schools are exempted from the provisions of the RTE Act. In Navodaya schools, 75% of the seats are reserved for rural children. They also cut paperwork in half for those who may not be able to furnish it. Most Navodaya schools also guarantee admissions without screening. They have 3% reservations for a girl child and seats are reserved for SC/ST children.

2. Does the Curriculum Vary from Place to Place?

The curriculum can vary based on the board of education. This is not just for RTE students but for all students. The CBSE, ICSE, State and NIOS boards have different curriculum. Additionally, IB and IGCSE international schools who accept students through RTE can also have differing curriculums. Another point to note is that the curriculum changes in the state board based on the state your child is studying in. This means that the curriculum for SSLC students in Karnataka is different from those studying in Tamil Nadu.

3. Who Prescribes the Curriculum and Evaluation System at the State Level?

The state board of education is in charge of the curriculum and evaluation related procedures for different states. The state education ministry along with the board and a panel of educators design the curriculum and the SSLC board evaluates students within the state itself.

4. How Will a Child Be Certified on Completing Elementary Education If There are No Board Examinations?

Teachers monitor the progress of the students and when the students clear the required educational markers, they give them certificates. Students are evaluated through fair means. Students who are average performers are brought to the level of other students by the teachers. This type of tutelage and education eliminates the need for exams.

5. Is It True That No Child Can Be Expelled or Failed?

As per the Act of Right to Education, children under the RTE and all children up to grade 8 cannot be held back without parental consent. If a parent does agree, the child can be held back, but this is by no means a failure. It is also true that no child can be expelled from a school.

6. If a 13-year-old Child Wants to Join a School, Will He Be Asked to Leave in One Year When He Attains the Age of 14?

This case is entirely dependent on a child. In theory, the child can be asked to leave when he turns 14 years of age if he meets all educational markers. If not, the school must ensure that the student is at the level of his peers before providing him with certification.

7. Does the Act Target Only Weaker Sections?

The RTE Act is not meant for any particular section of society. It aims at providing education to children who have limited or no resources. This includes members of the society who aren’t affluent. Its aims is to guarantee education to all the children. This means that children from different backgrounds will have the opportunity to study.

The RTE Act ensures that children get the opportunity to study and empower themselves. To opt for the RTE please contact the education department at the state level. It is important to remember that the future of your child is secure through this act.

Also Read:

Tips for Choosing the Best School for Your Child
List of Recognised Education Boards in India
School Admission Interview Questions and Answers for Parents